|
|
|
|
 Tuesday, April 24, 2001
Positives surround U.S. side
By Marc Connolly
ABC Sports Online
When looking at the men's National Team, press box critics and sideline know-it-alls traditionally hold a glass-is-half-empty stance. No matter what sort of results that have come via Bora Ball, Sampson's micromanaging and Arena's roster shuffling over the last decade, the positives have always been quickly downplayed.
"They still lack depth."
"(Fill in the blank) didn't have their full squad."
"One two-goal performance doesn't make him a sniper or solve their goal-scoring problems."
|  | | Bruce Arena's squad is looking to extend its home unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying matches to 18.
|
"They're too old."
"They're too young."
"A quality team will expose them down the flanks."
"Reyna was solid, but when will he become the world-class playmaker we thought he'd blossom into in '94?"
One could go on and on. And, believe me, they do.
But, if there has ever been a time when the do-or-die mentality can be halted for a minute -- if that -- and those Chicken Littles can stop the sky-is-falling bit, it is right now. Yes, the Yanks are heading into a World Cup qualifier where a loss wouldn't exactly destroy anyone's plans to head across the Pacific next June. Sure, a tie or a win over a gritty Costa Rica side on Wednesday night (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET) at what should be an amped crowd of 30,000-plus at Arrowhead Stadium would firmly plant Bruce Arena's squad in the proverbial driver's seat in the CONCACAF region. It's just not an absolute must, like every situation seemed to be in 1997 when Steve Sampson's squad gave Sam's Army heart murmurs each time it took to the pitch.
In other words, life is sweet for Coach Arena and his confident group of players even though the most anyone will publicly say is that they "feel good about having six points."
If they really wanted to state the facts, they'd tell you that the 2-1 heartbreaking loss to the Ticos at crazed Estadio Saprissa back in July and the 0-0 tie at Columbus in October were played with a different squad. The names may not have changed too much, but the nature of their collective efforts has.
For starters, there is the emergence of Clint Mathis.
"He is the kind of guy that can turn around the game with one play, and that is what he did against Mexico
and in Honduras," said Arena. "He is a dangerous attacking player, and is maturing."
|  | | Clint Mathis, left, and Earnie Stewart celebrate after beating Mexico. Both midfielders gave head coach Bruce Arena strong performances. |
After a brilliant half of soccer against Mexico and continued inspired play against Brazil in a friendly only a few days later, Mathis came down to Earth against Honduras. But the true mark of a great player -- the type we're used to seeing on pay-per-view and Spanish-speaking stations -- is how he made the difference with one play (a wicked direct kick over a wall of Hondurans) after several ineffective minutes patrolling the center of the field.
He's become the Yin to Claudio Reyna's Yang. And that shouldn't be a threatening thing. Both players deserve to be on the starting 11, and we might just see that for the very first time when the U.S. lines up on Wednesday night.
"He's not going to replace Claudio Reyna, but certainly we can manage a way to get them into the starting lineup at the same time," said Arena. "Certainly there is room on the field to have both of them there."
Fortunately for Arena, he has several options with these two players. Reyna, a true soccer player's player, can be inserted into a multitude of roles including in the right midfield and right back slots that his Rangers club in Scotland employs him in. Mathis, on the other hand, is always an option as a front-runner, where he has shone brightly with the MetroStars.
That brings us to another area where the U.S. has somewhat of a new look since October. With Josh Wolff's continuing development and the prospect of Landon Donovan providing a lift off the bench in the final 30 minutes of a match, Arena has several options up front. Though the pairing for the future will include Brian McBride, it is important for Wolff and Donovan to see some time while McBride and Joe-Max Moore are out with injuries. If Ante Razov has any hopes of seeing the field in the future, he must start performing on a consistent basis when he gets the call.
Other developments with the U.S. since Costa Rica last saw them includes:
|
Possible starting 11 for the U.S.:
|
|
Forward: Clint Mathis
Forward: Josh Wolff
Central mid: Claudio Reyna
Central mid: Chris Armas
Left mid: Eddie Lewis
Right mid: Earnie Stewart
Left back: David Regis
Central def Jeff Agoos
Central def: Carlos Llamosa
Right back: Steve Cherundolo
Keeper: Kasey Keller
|
Superior play by Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos and Carlos Llamosa in the central defense. Their collective man-marking, ball-clearing and tackling skills in the 18 have made this the most solid position on the field for the U.S.
David Regis' play at left back. He's quickly becoming a factor in transition, especially when his long balls to speed demon Wolff are on the money.
Steve Cherundolo wasn't even able to run six months ago. Now the 22-year-old is completely healed from his left knee injury and, after a solid performance against Honduras, has as good of a chance as anyone to start at right back.
"I think it was a difficult game to put him in, especially when you are playing Honduras on the road in a World Cup qualifier," said Arena. "I think he held his own, played very well and was comfortable with the starting position. I don't know whether he'll start this game because I obviously haven't chosen a lineup yet, but we'll see how he is physically after returning from Europe."
Although the U.S. will be without Cobi Jones (red card), Eddie Pope, Moore and McBride, the U.S. is facing a Costa Rican side that will be missing standout midfielder Wilmar Lopez and No. 1 goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen. With an inexperienced Lester Morgan in net, the U.S. is expected to attack with vengeance from the outset.
"Costa Rica is a key game for us and our focus is on three points," said Arena. "We will enter the match very well prepared and will have a great confidence."
As should its usual critics.
Marc Connolly is a senior writer for ABC Sports Online.
|
|
|
|
ESPN.com:
HELP |
ADVERTISER INFO |
CONTACT US |
TOOLS |
SITE MAP
Copyright ©2001 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.
|
|
